SYDNEY, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- A new facility has opened at one of Australia's most renowned turtle hatching beaches, giving local and international visitors "a year-round state-of-the-art experience."
Mon Repos in Australia's northeast State of Queensland is the annual breeding ground for hundreds of loggerhead turtles, comprising the largest concentration of the species in the South Pacific.
With an influx of roughly 30,000 guests every year hoping to witness the rare and wonderful sight of turtle hatchlings emerging for the first time, authorities hope the specially designed Turtle Centre will enhance the visitor experience while keeping the animals safe and happy.
"The centre will offer a year-round state-of-the-art experience, with touch screen televisions, vivid displays, an immersive theatre room and interpretive signage," Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said.
"This redevelopment now provides a contemporary ecotourism experience that allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in marine turtle research and conservation."
The design of the centre was carefully considered to ensure the building is ecologically sustainable, long-lasting and had minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
This includes placing the centre behind Mon Repos' sand dunes to avoid light spillage which can distract and disorient the barely moments-old turtle hatchlings.
Completion of the centre comes not a moment too soon with the start of turtle nesting season officially commencing last month.
"The first turtle of the season -- a 70-year-old female flatback -- has already made her arrival, coming ashore on 16 October for her 17th breeding season here at Mon Repos," Enoch said.
During the peak of the season, up to 20 turtles a night will come ashore to nest on the 1.5 kilometre sandy beach.
